17:00 Southwell

Monday 5 March 2018

All14:2014:5015:2015:5516:2517:0017:30

Free Race Replays On Attheraces Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 5m 39.20s

Tarrona³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: A Phillips| OR: 117

12/1

Had looked as though he was progressing nicely before he fell heavily at Ludlow in April in a novice hurdle. Two runs since then have been separated by a break and he may have needed the run both times although it takes a leap of faith to support him here.

Form: 822F-00

Just So Cool³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: David Dennis| OR: 115| D

6/1

Brought back from a long break when scoring on his return at Huntingdon travelling strongly and looking better than the eventual winning distance. Hard to say he disappointed last time at Sandown off an 8lb higher mark and could still take a hand here off the same mark.

Form: 3223/14

Rainy Day Dylan^h,t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 114

5/1

Failed to justify support on a couple of occasions prior to winning at Wincanton (2m, heavy) in a first-time hood making all and responding well to pressure. Failed to repeat that form over the same C&D (race may have come to soon) last time and dangerous with a soft lead.

Form: 2-4P814

Brynmawr^p1⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 112

7/1

Almost certainly needed the run when returning from almost a year off in a Taunton novice over 3m. Below form on his handicap debut at Haydock on very testing ground over a much shorter trip and likely to be suited by a return to this trip off a 3lb lower mark.

Form: 7422-58

Ardmayle³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: A Stronge| OR: 111| D

11/4

Won back-to-back chase events last February/March and then took advantage of a drop in the weights and grade to win for the first time over hurdles recently. Travelled well in that event and only 4lb higher here; should give another good account.

Form: 14-0471

Bardista³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 110

12/1

Made his handicap debut last time out off what looked to be a stiff mark and didn't perform that well finishing tailed off. Not given much respite by the handicapper from that run (just dropped 2lb) and still looks to face a tough task here.

Form: 3-P4060

Frankly Speaking⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: James Davies| T: T Symonds| OR: 106

10/1

His runs in novice hurdles have shown some promise although he ran too freely last time out and failed to stay the 3m trip. Now makes his handicap debut dropped back in trip by 4f and if he settles he'll be of interest off this mark.

Form: 35/583

Along Came Theo¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: A Crook| OR: 105| BF

7/2

Still yet to win a race over hurdles he's come back from a break to take a trio of runner-up slots off gradually climbing marks. Should really have taken advantage of the carnage at the final flight last time at Wetherby but appeared to pull himself up on the run-in.

Form: 7/4P-222

Forecasts

Ardmayle (11/4), Along Came Theo (7/2), Rainy Day Dylan (5/1), Just So Cool (6/1), Brynmawr (7/1), Frankly Speaking (10/1), Bardista (12/1), Tarrona (12/1)

Quite a competitive handicap hurdle and there are a few options here with Along Came Theo looking to try and end his run of seconds although his finishing effort when presented with a race at Wetherby was poor. Rainy Day Dylan will be dangerous if he gets a soft lead but JUST SO COOL looks the one to side with here even his defeat last time out reads well in this company with his stable having a fine season. Brynmawr now dons the cheekpieces for the first time and may well step up on his earlier handicap run. Perhaps the most interesting runner outside of the market leaders is Frankly Speaking who makes his handicap debut with the shorter trip looking to suit especially if he settles better on this occasion.